Earlier this year we told you about a Bowie County family wanting to have a special birthday for their soon-to-be two-year-old son. You may recall, this child is deaf, and though the family's plan to sing "Happy Birthday" to him this year will not take place, they are one step closer to their goal for birthdays to come.More >>

Earlier this year we told you about a Bowie County family wanting to have a special birthday for their soon-to-be two-year-old son. You may recall, this child is deaf, and though the family's plan to sing "Happy Birthday" to him this year will not take place, they are one step closer to their goal for birthdays to come.More >>

Jackson Foster will turn 2 in August, and his family is hoping he will be able to hear them sing "Happy Birthday" for the first time.

A Bowie County family is hoping to celebrate the gift of hearing on their little boy's birthday next month.More >>

A Bowie County family is hoping to celebrate the gift of hearing on their little boy's birthday next month.More >>

DALLAS, TX (KSLA) -

An East Texas boy has taken a major step toward a hearing life, now that the cochlear implant he received last month has been turned on.

Doctors at the Callier Center at UT Dallas turned on the device implanted just behind Jackson Foster's ear Monday.

The Bowie County boy was born deaf. His parents want to give him the gift of hearing for his second birthday. The little Bowie County boy had the 3-hour surgery on July 30, which doctors said went well. Monday was designated Jackson's "Hearing Day," during which doctors would determine whether Jackson can hear. Reacting at first with total stillness at a beeping sound, and turning his head at the sound of a rattle.

"Many times, Jackson included, they do show an awareness to sound," explained Audiologist Dr. Holly Marvin. "So, Jackson stopped and his eyes got wide and he looked liek he was really thinking or concentrating on listening. And all those are really good signs."

"He kinda had a serious look," said Jackson's dad, Wayne. "He had a serious look. He knew what was going on."

His family says Jackson will go back in about two weeks for another check-up to see how his implant is working.

Jackson turned 2 on August 5. The surgery delayed the celebration of his party, which will now be held on Saturday.